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of from three months to two years, it will be appreciated that it is
not possible to deal thoroughly with a large number of cases per
year. Both the Ophthalmic Surgeon and the Orthoptist require
a very high standard of visual acuity and freedom from squint
before any case is discharged cured ; and, during the short time
the clinic has been in operation, only two children have been so
discharged.
Report by Orthoptist (Miss P. Montague Smith).
The following figures show the number and disposition of cases dealt
with at the special squint clinic from its inception (11.6.36) until the end
of the year, i.e., over a period of some 6A months.
Cases examined 62
Cases treated by orthoptic training 9
Cases treated for defective vision (amblyopia) 18
Cases unsuitable for treatment 3
Cases awaiting treatment 32
Attendances for treatment 325
Results of Treatment.
Cured. Improved.
Defective vision 6* 5
Squint 2 7
* These children, who have now been cured as regards defective
vision, are now awaiting a course of orthoptic training ; and their number,
when added to the 32 cases on the waiting list, makes a total of 38 children
awaiting treatment.
In those cases in which defective vision (amblyopia) exists
in one eye, the good eye is covered and/or treated with atropin
until the defective or " lazy " eye has learned to see properly. The
patient is then ready for orthoptic exercises designed to strengthen
the defective eye muscles and training both eyes to see simultaneously
so that they will be able to superimpose into one single
object the images seen by each eye. Each child receives from 20
to 30 minutes treatment twice weekly.